Editorial: Kathy Marchione for 43rd state Senate district

The Saratogian was unequivocal in its endorsement of incumbent Roy McDonald over Kathy Marchione for the Republican line in the September primary, based largely on his responsiveness as a legislator and for demonstrating the courage of his convictions regardless of the political risk on the same-sex marriage vote. That primary was so hotly contested that it was decided by absentee ballot. Marchione prevailed and McDonald subsequently stepped out of the race (though his name will appear on the Independence line).

Now, in the general election pitting Marchione against Democrat Robyn Andrews for state senator, The Saratogian endorses Marchione, particularly for her track record for getting things done.

Andrews is a capable candidate who, like Marchione, brings the experience of grassroots public service. Andrews is the Columbia County town of Claverack supervisor, and Marchione represented the Saratoga County town of Halfmoon before being elected county clerk.

Andrews has proven her ability to work across party lines, as Claverack's first elected Democrat in more than three decades. She has specific ideas for assisting constituents, including farmers. She brings 20 years of business experience, including long- and short-term planning.

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However, Marchione has the edge in this race. Even McDonald, after a primary campaign in which he came out swinging by the end, has thrown his support behind his party's candidate. But it's not just about politics, though Marchione is much farther to the right than McDonald on social issues.

As we noted in the primary endorsement, Marchione, the elected county clerk in 1997, made noteworthy improvements to the record-keeping and accessibility of the county records and motor vehicles department operations under her purview. She was unafraid to stand up to then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer, vowing to disobey a proposal to grant driver's licenses to illegal aliens, a move the governor ultimately abandoned. She had been a leader on the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, and was head of the statewide association of county clerks.

Seemingly simple yet significant improvements that make a visit to the DMV efficient, dare we say pleasant, were the result of Marchione acknowledging customer service problems and fixing them. It's not as easy to fix things when you're a member of the Legislature rather than head of an agency, but we're optimistic that Marchione will bring her tenacity and problem-solving to Albany.

Marchione believes the 2 percent tax cap is working, but recognizes that it ties the hands of local governments and schools without corresponding mandate relief. She also thinks the new Tier 6 was a good move, and agreed with Gov. Cuomo that the changes to the pension plan should have been even more far-reaching. Those are realistic assessments of important economic issues, which we encourage her to focus on in Albany.